The role of interpersonal communication on environmental conservation: a case study on the Aberdare Ecosystem

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Abstract

Communication is a vital tool for transferring meaning in organisations. Communication is a mechanism through which people shape relationships. Thus, the attainment of organisational goals is dependent on effective communication. Over the years, the wildlife and forests of the Aberdares faced numerous threats arising from human activities, including poaching, bush-meat hunting, snaring, illegal logging, charcoal burning and encroachment. Regular crop damage by wildlife, especially elephant, was a major problem for the farmers, who suffered great losses. Encounters between farmers and wildlife occasionally led to human fatalities Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, (2010). The objective of the study was to investigate the role of interpersonal communication in environmental conservation of Aberdare ecosystem.
This study adopted a case study research design. The population of interest for this study was the Aberdare national park employees and senior management who may have the relevant information. Stratified random sampling was used to pick 30% of the target population which was 72 respondents. The study used both primary and secondary data collection in gathering data. The study concludes that interpersonal communication has not been fully embraced at Aberdare national park. Poor interpersonal communication has affected motivation, organizational commitment, teamwork and leadership of Aberdare national park employee's. The study recommends that Aberdare national park should embrace fully interpersonal communication in order to conserve its ecosystem. . The study further recommends that there is need for Aberdare national park to understand the influence of interpersonal communication on motivation, organizational commitment, teamwork and leadership in order for them to fully embrace interpersonal communication in their goal of conservation of Aberdare ecosystem.